By Vicky Baxter,
Renton Chamber of Commerce
Several months ago I remember sitting in a meeting with Liz Nolan, the Marketing Guru at UW Medicine/Valley Medical Center, discussing the “it” factor in Renton and how to showcase it.
The “it” factor is the pride and spirit of community as in kinship, unity and cooperation. How does the Renton Chamber working in partnership with the City of Renton convey that “community” to potential developers, entrepreneurs and businesses in a wait and see market?
The answer came in a call from Chamber Board Chair Brent Camann (SECO Development). He told me about Gyros House Mediterranean Grill.
Last week Gyro’s moved into a larger location across the street from their present location at The Landing. In the midst of getting ready for opening day, they were delayed by the sheer magnitude of moving furniture, getting art work up, mopping floors and all that it takes to move a restaurant.
Several Boeing employees (about 40) consisting of pilots, engineers, material handlers and assembly line workers showed up ready to dine on souvlaki, falafels and all things Greek. Seeing that Moussa, the owner, could use some of their elbow grease, they proceeded to hang art work, mop floors and get the place ready to open.
Interesting enough when writing this article I noticed on their website that Gyros House says they understand the importance of family and community. Oh and yes, Moussa rewarded their efforts with fine Greek cuisine. Moussa also asked that I mention many customers left their phone numbers offering their help in the move.
So there “it” is: Digging in and getting things done for others.
Viet Wah Asian Food Market is moving across the street in a few months. Just saying…
My good friend and mentor Bill has advised me to keep quiet about being new in town and instead just try to “fit in.” The problem is I give myself away every time I mispronounce Puyallup, Sammamish, Suquamish, and Tulalip just to name a few.
We just finished the business directory and that made me think about Renton business names. Some make perfect sense: Mighty-and-Tidy, office cleaners; Naan n’ Curry Restaurant, Indian cuisine; The Berliner Pub, German gastropub; Renton Coil Spring, titanium springs for aerospace applications. McLendons, complete hardware; and Fred Meyer, supermarket (and they’re not kidding).
Some harder to define Renton business names include: The JOINT, the chiropractic place; Poggi Bonsi, Italian influenced products; IKEA, acronym for Ingvar Kamprad (founder) Elmtaryd (family farm) Agunaryd (town in Sweden); Stigmare Couture Marketing, “stigmare” is Latin for brand; and In Control, air quality products, for example.
Come by the chamber office at 625 S. 4th St., and pick up the new Renton business directory to learn them all.
And of course there is the name Renton. Is it “Ren tonne” or is it “Ren tin”? Are residents, “Rentonians, Retonites or Rentors”? This one I have to ask the Renton Rotary Club, they know all things Renton.
Chamber coming attractions for summer: Aloha Saturday on Aug. 15. If you love everything Polynesian, this is for you!
Join the Renton Chamber and I will do my best to shamelessly plug your business in my article.
Vicky Baxter is the CEO of the Renton Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at vbaxter@gorenton.com
